Raw-stock-dyeing apparatus



1929 F. M. MORTON 1,737,940

RAW STOCK DYEING APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1929 Patented Dec. 3, 1929 M UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK M. MORTON, OF PHEN'IX CITY, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO S. W. JACKSON ANDW. 1". SAYERS, OF MUSCOGEE COUNTY, GEORGIA RAW-STOCK-DYEING APPARATUS Application filed April 5,

The invention relates to a-raw stock dyeing apparatus of the type embodying a vat for the batch, a cover for the vat, securing means for said cover, a batch-holding-and-com- 5 pressing plate, and means for circulating the dye liquor through the batch.

It is the object of the invention to provide new and improved means for mounting the batch-compressing-and-holding plate upon 10 the cover in such manner that upon downward movement of said cover to vat-closing position, said plate will be downwardly forced to initially compress the vat, the construction being such as to then permit lowering of the plate by gravity as the dye-soaked batch gradually shrinks. Thus, the plate holds the batch against floating in the dye liquor and prevents different portions of the batch from becoming separated and forming channels through which the dye liquor may short circuit with danger of producing a batch which is not uniformly dyed.

With the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, the description being supplemented by the accompanying drawing which illustrates a vertical sectional view of a dyeing apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention.

The form of construction herein disclosed will be rather specifically described, with the understanding that within the scope of the invention as claimed, variations may be made.

The numeral 1 denotes a vat having a dye outlet 2 at its bottom, provided above said bottom with a suitably supported perforated false bottom 3, equippednear its upper end with dye inlet means 4 and provided with a cover 5 which is held in place by appropriate securing means 6. This cover is provided with the conventional eyes 7 for engagement with a hoist for use in raising and lowering the cover.

Below the cover 5, is a floating perforated batch-compressingand-holding plate 8 hav ing a plurality of openings 9 in addition to its perforations, four of said openings 9 being preferabl employed, although any other desired ,num er could be used. An equal 1929. Serial No. 352,701.

number of vertical studs 10 have their upper ends 11 threaded in or otherwise secured in the cover 5, the lower ends 12 of said studs being reduced, providing downwardly facing shoulders 13 at the juncture of the two stud diameters. The reduced ends 12 pass slidably through the openings 9, and nuts 14, preferably locked by other nuts 15, are threaded on the lower extremities of the studs under the plate 8.

The studs 10 and their nuts 1415 constitute suspending means for the plate 8 when lifting the cover 5 from or applying it to the vat 1. After the vat is filled with the stock to be dyed, the cover 5 and the plate 8 suspended therefrom are lowered into position and when said plate rests upon the stock, the

cover 5 continues to lower until the shoulders 13 abut the plate 8. Then, as cover 5 is downwardly moved to its final vat-closing position, the shoulders 13 downwardly force the plate 8 to initially compress the batch. The dye liquor is now circulated through the vat and its contents and as the batch becomes dyesoaked, it contracts or shrinks materially. When this takes place, the plate 8 descends by gravity away from the shoulders 13 and always rests upon the batch to hold the latter in compact form, preventing any separation of different portions of said batch and the consequent formation of channels through which the dye may short-circuit with danger of producing a batch not uniformly dyed. Upon removal of the cover 5, the suspending means 10-14 withdraw the plate 8 from the vat and the dyed batch may then be removed.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the invention is not only of exceptionally simple and inexpensive construction, but that it will be highly efficient and in every way desirable. On account of these advantages, the details disclosed are preferably followed. However, within the scope of the invention as claimed, variations may be made as above stated.

I claim:

1. In a dyeing apparatus embodying a vat, a removable cover therefor and means for securing said cover; a floating batch-compressing-and-holding plate below said cover, platesuspending means connected with the cover and plate and allowing further descent of the cover when said plate initially rests upon'the vat-contained batch, said suspendin means also allowing descent of said plate rom the secured cover upon shrinkage of the dyesoaked batch, and means for limiting descent of said cover with respect to said plate when said cover is downwardly moved to vat-closing position, whereby said plate will be down- 10 wardly forced to initially compress the batch. 2. In a dyeing apparatus embodying a vat, a removable cover therefor and means for se curing said cover; a floating batch-compressing-and-holding plate below said cover, vertical studs secured at their upper ends to said cover and havin reduced lower ends providing downwar ly-facing shoulders at the juncture of the two stud diameters, said reduced stud ends being of a length many times the thickness of said plate, the latter being provided with openings through which said reduced stud ends pass slidably, and nuts on the lower extremities of said studs co-operating with the latter in raising said plate when the vat cover is raised, said shoulders serving to downwardly force said plate when the cover is downwardly moved to vat-closing position, thereby initially compressing the batch, said plate being tlien free to lower as the dye-soaked batch shrinks.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

FRANK M. MORTON. 

